Division of Ecological and Water Resources (Waters)

Statewide contamination susceptibility

Ground water contamination susceptibility in Minnesota

In 1989, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency published a statewide evaluation of ground water contamination susceptibility. The assessment used four parameters (aquifer materials, recharge potential, soil materials, and vadose zone materials) to delineate areas of relative susceptibility to ground water contamination. The assessment method used Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The project was published in both poster and report format.

The contamination susceptibility map was made from digital files available at the time or were digitized from existing published maps. Useable map scale is approximately 1:500,000 or 1 inch = 8 miles. This map is best used as a regional-scale screening aid.